SP's Exclusive

A mini quad-rotor drone developed and built by a team of students at IIT Bombay is making waves, standing out in a national competition held by the Ministry of Science & Technology. The MICAV 14 competition has the team emerge runners up with their 'Chaturpaksha' drone, which previously bagged third place in the international IMAV...

Racing towards final operational clearance (FOC) by the end of this year for the LCA Tejas Mk.1, the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) is looking for a fully integrated mobile telemetry system (MTS), comprising the entire system...

Israel's Rafael Advanced Systems entered DefExpo 2014 on a high, after reportedly bagging a massive contract for over 150 LITENING targeting pods for the Indian Air Force's combat aircraft fleet. A spokesperson for Rafael wouldn't confirm details but indicated to SP's that the LITENING pod had been chosen by the Indian Air Force...

NH Industries and Sikorsky have extended the validity of their commercial bids in the Indian Navy's multirole helicopter (MRH) competition till March 2014 at the request of the MoD. The Sikorsky S-70B Sea Hawk faces off against the NH Industries NH90.

Apart from the Indian Navy’s medium range maritime reconnaissance (MRMR) competition, the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) is officially looking for nine multi-mission maritime aircraft (six initially, with options for three more).

Delayed by over four years, but this one is truly better late than never. In what will be a significant boost to the Indian Navy’s quest for a credible air defence system deployable on its frontline vessels and aircraft carriers...

The Indian Air Force is expected to shortly close a deal with European missile company MBDA for 384 ASRAAM imaging infrared homing air-to-air missile as the new close combat missile for the Jaguar, replacing the now obsolete Matra Magic R550.

Boeing Defense is closely monitoring two major deals with the Indian Air Force that have reached finality in negotiations, though contract signature could slip into the next financial year, possibly under a new government post the national elections.

In a dramatic new episode to the 'trainer wars' as they should probably be known now given the weekly intrigue surrounding the IAF-HAL battle over basic trainer aircraft, the Indian Air Force has pitched a proposal to the MoD offering that is ready to license-build Pilatus PC-7 Mk.II propeller trainers at the No.5 Base Repair Depot...

It has been confirmed that delays have once again cast uncertainty over the Indian Navy's request for propsal (RFP) for the highly anticipated naval multi-role helicopter (NMRH) requirement, envisaging 120 multi-role helicopters for the Navy to be procured through the 'Buy & Make' route of the defence procurement procedure.

With the Indian Cabinet Committee on Security clearing a deal for 15 additional IAI-Malat HERON-I medium-altitude long-endurance unmanned aerial systems (UAS), the MoD is likely to sign a contract with Israel next month, making India the largest operator of the type.

A long-fought contract award could be in sight for EADS, now in its spanking new avatar Airbus Group, with the Indian Government likely to sign on the dotted like, finally, for six A330 multi-role tanker transports (MRTT) for the Indian Air Force.

The Indian national civil aircraft (NCAD) development programme, looking to field an Indian designed and built airliner by the end of this decade, is now officially scouting for engines for its twin-engine configuration.

With the successful completion of initial operational clearance (IOC), that officially sees the LCA Tejas released for service with the IAF, Team Tejas Mk.1 is now gunning for another, far more important milestone line—final operational clearance...

More than two years after the Indian Air Force was offered six additional C-130J Super Hercules transports, the Cabinet Committee on Security has finally cleared the deal. A foreign military sales (FMS) contract is likely to be signed shortly with the US Government for the Lockheed Martin-built jet for the Indian Air Force.

After seeking an opportunity to meet with the MoD and represent its case at a formal meeting for the last nine months, the company has finally been accorded the opportunity on November 20 at South Block.

With its first flight scheduled for February 2014, the Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE) has floated a global tender to acquire a SATCOM Airborne Antenna Assembly System (SAAAS) for the Rustom-II medium altitude longe endurance UAV.

With its restored de Havilland Tiger Moth painting the skies yellow for over a year now as part of the ambitious Vintage Flight programme, the Indian Air Force is looking forward to seeing its restored North American T-6 Harvard trainer fly in Indian skies by the end of this year, marking the first phase of an effort that will ultimately see...

Could there finally be some seriously good news for MBDA in the Indian market? It could go down as one of the longest, most protracted set of negotiations in the history of weapons partnerships, but after over five years in discussions and literally endless parleys over technology and workshare, missile friendship-Maitri-between...

After the Tejas LSP-7 successfully completed several weapons release test points at Jamnagar in July this year, three more limited series airframes (LSP-3, LSP-5 and LSP-8) are now in Jamnagar to bolster the gains made, and notch up more test points...

The LCA Navy, which hasn't flown for over a year now, is likely to fly again soon by early next year, top sources tell SP's. After a first flight in April last year, followed by three more development flights, the NP1 naval prototype is said to be ready to take to the air again with significant modifications.

The Indian Air Force anticipates a contract award to Airbus Military for the A330 MRTT before the end of the financial year, top sources tell SP's. The contract for six A330 MRTT flight refuelling aircraft, fitted with Israeli hose and drogue refuelling systems (as is standard on the Il-78Ms of the IAF) will come as big relief to the IAF...

After BAE Systems, EADS, Saab and Dassault, the latest contractor now apparently ready to cooperate with India in UCAV technology is RAC-MiG. The company's discontinued Skat unmanned combat air system demonstrator.

Strapped into a phase of deep modernisation, underscored by the medium multi-role combat aircraft (MMRCA) deal and several other high-value acquisitions, the Indian Air Force is all set to procure equipment and platforms worth $150 billion over the next 15 years, making it one of the world's leading buyers of military hardware.

The Agni family of strategic ballistic missiles, barring the under trial Agni-V, will be tested in a rapid series of launches starting this month. The in-service Agni-I, Agni-II and Agni-III will be tested as part of an exercise by the Strategic Forces Command, while the Agni-IV, yet to join service, will undergo a development test...

While the Indian Air Force (IAF) sets its highest hopes on the MMRCA contract being signed this financial year amidst receding chances, Russia, maker of one of the five defeated aircraft in the competition, has said it would be willing to integrate Russian weapons on the Rafale if India so desires.

Concerns over disparities between India's investment in the fifth generation fighter aircraft (FGFA) and its substantive workshare in the programme will be raised by Defence Minister A.K. Antony when he visits Moscow later this month en route...

Sikorsky, whose S-92 Superhawk lost the Indian Air Force contract for 12 VVIP helicopters to rival AgustaWestland, has revived its pitch to supply its platform to the Indian Air Force, amidst uncertainty over the AW101 supply contract.